June 26, 2013
Emotional Post-Race Video Goes Viral
(Colorado Springs, CO) - After a surprise 4th-place finish in the 1500-meters at the USA Outdoor Track & Field Championships last week, Matt Elliott (Brooks) earned the opportunity to pursue the World Championships qualifying standard and has a chance to make the US National Team for Moscow. After a training stint at altitude in Colorado Springs, Elliot will compete in the KBC-Huesden meet in Belgium on July 13 and then the Bottrop Gala in Germany on July 19.
Only the top four finishers at the US championships are able to pursue qualifying marks, with the 1500-meter standards being 3:35.00 for the A and 3:37.00 for the B. By virtue of his win and his B mark, Matt Centrowicz is automatically on Team USA. None of the next three finishers, including Elliott, have either an A or B mark, and the US can only take a maximum of three if, at a minimum, three of the top four finishers earn at least two As and one B.
In the days since the 1500-meter final, a emotional post-race video interview featuring Elliott breaking down as he encourages young people not to quit on their dreams has gone viral, amassing 27,871 views in three days and inspiring a Runner's World article. The video can be viewed online at http://www.flotrack.org/coverage/250797-USA-Outdoor-Track-Field-Championships-2013/video/715050-Matthew-Elliott-Full-Time-Teacher-Gers-4th-at-USAs-Watch-this-Interview and the article can be found at http://www.runnersworld.com/elite-runners/school-teacher-might-make-world-championships-team
With no contract or financial shoe company support, Elliott's training camp in Colorado and his travel to Europe will be funded by the non-profit American Distance Project and by Elliott himself. Join other individual supporters and organizations, like the New York Road Runners and the USA Track & Field Foundation, by making a donation to support the efforts of the American Distance Project at http://www.americandistanceproject.com/Index/Donate.html
________________________________________________________________
ADP To Support Bristol Mile; Smail In Ostrava Golden Spike 5,000m
(Colorado Springs, CO) - After a successful spring of racing, American Distance Project athletes will compete in and support the first year Bristol Mile Saturday afternoon. The certified mile road race sponsored by Colorado Springs-based Bristol Brewing Company has a fast flat course with a straight shot down Cheyenne Boulevard. ADP runners set to compete include Dey Dey, who was a semi-finalist last week in the 800-meters at the USA Outdoor Track Championships; Mattie Suver (adidas/BRC), who was fifth at last weekend's US Half Marathon Championships; and teammate Brandon Birdsong. For information on the race logon to http://www.bristolmile.com/
Across the ocean in the Czech Republic, ADP International Elite runner Nouredine Smail will compete in the Zatopek Memorial 5,000-meters at the 52nd Ostrava Golden Spike meeting on Thursday night. Smail, a Frenchman from Paris, will compete against a loaded field in the IAAF World Challenge meet including World Record holder Kenenisa Bekele.
________________________________________________________________
ABOUT AMERICAN DISTANCE PROJECT
The American Distance Project is a non-profit organization whose primary goal is the development of American distance runners to be internationally competitive. The ADP is located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, taking advantage of incredible training resources in and around Colorado Springs and Woodland Park. The ADP is coached by Renato Canova and Scott Simmons. For more information, visit www.AmericanDistanceProject.com
No comments:
Post a Comment